Torpedoed by Doubt

In naval warfare, a torpedo swims just below the surface of the water. Sometimes it simply pokes a hole and causes the enemy vessel to take on water. Sometimes it hits the screw, crippling the target’s mobility. A torpedo might hit fuel storage or a magazine, destroying the ship with an explosion.

Doubt is the torpedo moving just below the waterline of our spiritual lives. The enemy wants to disable us, or destroy us outright, but it is enough to poke holes in our shield of faith. When doubt scores a direct hit, we take on worries, heretical notions or sinful attitudes.

Holes in the hull slow us down, make us heavier and eventually capsize us.

If we could track incoming doubt, we would take evasive action, but doubt is subtle. Everything from a less-than-fair situation to a casual comment from a friend can fire a doubt torpedo. A scientific presentation can make us wonder about the credibility of Genesis. When a well-known Christian leader falls, their failure launches a wave of doubts.

Sometimes, when reading the Psalms, we familiarize with the psalmists’ doubts. The doubts of David or Asaph do not give us an excuse to doubt or despair. We know God understands our doubts and will forgive them, but He does not approve of them. (Many of the emotions in Scripture are common to us all, but this does not give us license to engage in toxic attitudes.) Jesus rebuked His disciples for their lack of courage, understanding or ability, all based on a failure of their faith. (Matthew 14:31, Mark 4:40, Matthew 17:7, Luke 24:25).

In retrospect, we owe a debt to doubters who, with God’s help, overcame their doubts and fears. Overcoming our doubts reinforces our belief and that of others.

If nobody ever profoundly doubted, could anybody profoundly believe?

We all remember Thomas, (who did NOT write the “Gospel of Thomas,”) who refused to believe in the resurrection until he touched the scars of the risen Lord (John 20:24-29). We can be thankful for Thomas’ skepticism. The apostle is proof that the first believers were not a pack of naïve dupes who simply wanted to believe something. He proved the fact of the resurrection by demanding evidence.

Thomas, patron saint of India, ought to be the patron saint of Missouri, the “Show Me” state.

I feel bad for Thomas, who at times showed great courage (John 11:16), but is remembered best for his skepticism and commonsensical nature. Still, Jesus had no praise for his skepticism, “Then Jesus told him, ‘Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed’” (John 20:29).

His commitment to the Great Commission led him to establish the Church in the East in Mesopotamia and later took him to India. He died a martyr’s death; preaching the Gospel as he was speared to death.

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Few can resist the temptation to throw a Bible verse at a person suffering from doubt. Ultimately, Scripture and the work of the Holy Spirit is the cure for doubt, but we must ensure we are not firing a verse “from the hip.” Do we really believe we can help the doubter by reminding him of something he has read a dozen times already?

First, we must understand that people will have moments of uncertainty. Few of us have never doubted God’s love for us, His plan for us, or even His existence. It is usually therapeutic to meet people where they are, with empathy.

“If nobody ever profoundly doubted, would anybody profoundly believe?”

Next, we can remember with them that some of the greatest Bible heroes had dark moments, including Abraham (Genesis 15:8), Gideon (Judges 6:17), even John the Baptist (Matthew 11:3), and Elijah (I Kings 19:4).

Now we can remind them that while doubt and despair are common human frailties, God is greater than all our fears. We all have stories of His provision and grace. What we know is more powerful than what we feel. Unbelievers and skeptics have their well-developed arguments, but their theories pale in comparison to God’s peace and the fact of the Gospel.

Doubt is contagious, but so is courage. Airing doubts to weaker fellow-soldiers can turn a formidable host into a stampeding herd, but do not suffer alone. I pray you have a strong friend on whom to rely when doubt comes prowling.

The Holy Spirit gives us assurance that through every circumstance, God is in control.

Scripture warns us that the ungodly will sometimes do well. The New Testament shares stories of godly people suffering. History catalogues the suffering of those who are supposed to be blessed by God.

Suffering requires an article all its own.

The antidote to doubt is the same for every challenge; the Sword of the Spirit. Romans 10:17 says, “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” We must engross ourselves in the Word of God before the wake of doubt approaches. The shield of faith, used preemptively, can block insidious doubt.

Failure of faith is not a trivial thing. Hebrews 11:6 reads, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”

Doubt is an enemy of faith. The greater our faith, the greater our capacity to please God. Let us not let doubt creep in below the waterline and drown our faith.

God bless you.